Tag: Paul

Biblical References in Jude

Post author By Peter DeHaan
Post date August 16, 2011

As covered a few weeks ago, the book of Jude contains three cryptic references to ancient non-biblical texts. In addition, Jude also includes references to biblical accounts.

The first is in verse 6, where Jude mentions angels who abandoned their role and their home. This is likely a nod to Genesis 6:1-4, which talks about the son’s of God marrying the daughters of man.

That is a bit perplexing itself, but at least it is the Bible.

Alternately, some scholars think Jude is referring to an ancient non-biblical text, The Book of Enoch. I opt for Genesis 6.

Another non-biblical reference is found in verse 17-18. Here Jude cites other apostles who warn that in the last days there will be scoffers who follow ungodly desires.

Although the New Testament of the Bible did not exist at the time of Jude’s writing, he may have been privy to Paul’s and Peter’s letters or more likely, he simply heard them—or heard of them—issuing this warning.

Jude’s words are recorded almost verbatim by Peter in 2 Peter 3:3, as well as being alluded to in 2 Peter 2:1-3.

Likewise, Paul, in his letters to Timothy, covers this theme in 1 Timothy 4:1; 2 Timothy 3:1-5, and 2 Timothy 4:3-4.

Last, and perhaps most significant, reference to Cain, Balaam, and, Korah, which I will address in future posts.

Jude was certainly well-read and well-informed, peppering his letters with many references and illustrations. Though they would have been helpful to his audience then, that is not so much the case today. Even so, Jude’s central warning to guard against ungodly people in the church is well founded—and timeless.

[Jude 1:6, Genesis 6:1-4, Jude 1:17-18, 2 Peter 3:3, 2 Peter 2:1-3, Timothy references]

Peter DeHaan writes about biblical Christianity to confront status quo religion and live a life that matters. He seeks a fresh approach to following Jesus through the lens of Scripture, without the baggage of made-up traditions and meaningless practices.

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Tags Balaam, Cain, Korah, Paul, Peter, Timothy

Bible Insights

You are In Christ, Crucified with Him

Post author By Peter DeHaan
Post date July 12, 2011

The apostle Paul writes to the church in Galatia about being “crucified with Christ.” In his letter to the church in Corinth, he states, “You are in Christ.”

That is a hard concept for me to grasp, yet, the phrase “in Christ” occurs some 90 times in the Bible. It appears in about half of the New Testament books, from Acts to 1 Peter, encompassing the writings of Luke, Paul, and Peter.

What does it mean to be “crucified with Christ” and to be “in Christ?”

Watchman Nee, in his book Sit, Walk, Stand, offers a most helpful illustration. He says, “If I put a dollar bill between the pages of a magazine, and then burn the magazine, where is the dollar bill?”

It is turned to ashes, along with the magazine. What happens to the magazine also happens to the dollar. “Their history has become one.”

“Just as effectively,” he continues, “God has put us in Christ. What happened to him happened also to us. All the experiences he met, we too have met in him.”

“Our history,” he concludes, was “written in Christ before we were born.” We were crucified with him.

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Tags Jesus, Luke, Paul, Peter

Bible Insights

Jesus is the Reason

Post author By Peter DeHaan
Post date July 7, 2011

In studying the short letter to Philemon, we’ve looked at the central players of Paul (the author), Philemon (the recipient), and Onesimus (the subject).

There are also brief mentions of eight others: Timothy, Apphia, Archippus, Epaphras, Aristarchus, Luke, John-Mark, and Demas.

The foundational character, however, is Jesus. He is mentioned more often than any other in this letter, a total of six times.

The reality is that without Jesus, none of this matters. He is the ultimately the reason why this letter was written and he is the reason why each person was mentioned.

Without Jesus, Paul would not have been a missionary; without Jesus, Onesimus would have no desire to return to his master; and without Jesus, Philemon would have no reason to show mercy and offer forgiveness.

It is because of Jesus that each of the eight other characters are worthy of inclusion.

Jesus is the reason for the letter to Philemon—and the entire Bible. Without him, nothing else really matters.

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Tags Jesus, Onesimus, Paul, Philemon

Bible Insights

Timothy Proved Himself

Post author By Peter DeHaan
Post date June 9, 2011

I earlier stated that Paul is the author of the letter to Philemon. This is correct, but not exclusively so. Timothy is also listed in the opening credits.

While we don’t know Timothy’s degree of involvement, the letter does state that it is from Paul and Timothy.

This isn’t an isolated occurrence either. Check out the opening verse in 2 Corinthians, Philippians, 1 Thessalonians, and 2 Thessalonians, as well as Philemon. In each case, Timothy is listed as a partner in the correspondence.

We don’t know if he was a co-author, a collaborator, or played some other role, but it is clear the letter is also from him.

There are many other references to Timothy in the Bible, including in two letters from Paul to him.

From these we develop a composite picture of Timothy as a disciple, a helper, a co-worker, Paul’s son in the faith, a brother, and a servant.

We also know that he told others about Jesus and was thrown in jail as a result.

Paul goes on to affirm that Timothy “proved himself.” While Timothy didn’t need to earn his salvation or do something to garner God’s attention or favor, it is noteworthy that he proved himself in the work he was called to do.

Our challenge as we follow Jesus is to likewise prove ourselves as worthy.

[Read through the Bible with us this year. Today’s reading is Philippians 1-4, and today’s post is on Philippians 2:22.]

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Bible Insights

Philemon’s Dilemma

Post author By Peter DeHaan
Post date May 31, 2011

In the story surrounding Paul’s letter to Philemon, there are three central characters: Paul, Philemon, and Onesimus. Since the letter is written to Philemon, let’s talk about him first.

Despite having a letter written to him, Philemon is only mentioned by name once in the Bible. It is in the book that bears his name.

Paul calls Philemon a “dear friend” and a “fellow worker” (v1). The church also meets in his house (v2).

This doesn’t mean that Philemon is the leader of the church, but merely implies that he has the biggest house, thereby providing the most room for people to meet.

By virtue of owning the biggest house, it is likely that Philemon is also wealthy. Additionally, Paul notes the Philemon loves others (v5) and is an encourager (v7).

Philemon also has a slave. However, we need to be careful not to vilify Philemon for this. Historians tell us that unlike forced enslavement today, much of the slavery 2,000 years ago was voluntary.

Desperate people would voluntarily opt for slavery as a means of survival, either to pay off an insurmountable debt or to avoid starvation. Taking on a voluntary slave could therefore even be seen as an act of mercy.

Though we don’t know the exact circumstances between Philemon and Onesimus, what we do know is that Onesimus ran away, leaving Philemon without his services.

Philemon was wronged. Will he seek retaliation or give forgiveness? Will he pursue justice or offer mercy?

Before these questions are answered, however, we must first looks at Paul’s role and Onesimus’s response, which will be in the next two posts.

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Tags Onesimus, Paul, Philemon

Bible Insights

Blessed are the Meek

Post author By Peter DeHaan
Post date April 14, 2011

Do you aspire to be meek? Not likely. Who would?

When I think of meek, I think of spineless, compliant, and easily imposed upon.

While that is a correct understanding of what it is to be meek, it is also the secondary definition for the word.

The first definition for meek is patient, humble, gentle, and long-suffering.

Even with that perspective, meekness is not a trait that many in our world today desire.

Consider, however, that Moses, the great leader of ancient Israel, was characterized as being meek. Even more so, Jesus himself claimed to be meek. Plus, Paul taught that we should all be meek.

Given that Moses and Jesus were meek, and Paul taught it, perhaps we need to give this trait some serious consideration.

After all, Jesus promised that the meek will inherit the earth.

[Numbers 12:3, Matthew 11:29, Colossians 3:12, Matthew 5:5]

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Christian Living

We Are Body, Soul, and Spirit

Post author By Peter DeHaan
Post date March 2, 2011

Most Christians Have a Worldly Perception of Themselves Instead of a Spiritual One

We live in a physical world. As such, we are readily aware that we have a body. If we stop to contemplate it, we may admit to the possibility of having a soul, too—whatever that means. But what about a spirit?

In our reality, which we readily see and experience, the idea of spirit seems a bit of a stretch. Yet, Paul writes that we are comprised of body, soul, and spirit (1 Thessalonians 5:23).

However, he reverses the order. He lists spirit first, as if it is most important, then soul, and lastly body, almost as inconsequential.

Body, Soul, and Spirit

Though I don’t know the origin, I’ve heard it said, “We are a spirit, we have a soul, and we live in a body.” That saying is likely built on Paul’s teaching. Furthermore, our soul is said to comprise our mind, will, and emotion.

The more I think about it, the more I am intrigued—and the more I like the order of the words: spirit, soul, body.

We know our body is temporary; that is obvious. It will one day cease to function, and our body will die.

Yet, our spirit will live on. This suggests our spirit is more important and significant than our body. If so, our spirit and soul should control our body, not our body dictating our soul or spirit.

Consider eating. Our body wants food, so we feed it, sometimes gaining weight in the process. Then we go on a diet. Our soul (mind, will, and emotion) resists the body’s insatiable call for more.

If we’re successful, we lose weight. But do we keep it off? Not likely—not unless our spirit gets involved. When our spirit is in control, our soul follows, and we keep our body’s cravings in check.

We are a spirit, we have a soul, and we live in a body. This gives us much to consider and can reform our reality, if we will let it.

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Tags Paul, soul, spirit

Bible Insights

The Error of the Sadducees

Post author By Peter DeHaan
Post date February 3, 2011

In The Error of the Sadducees and Pharisees, it was noted that the Sadducees’s error was taking away from the Bible, dismissing or ignoring certain sections.

Paul notes that the Sadducees did not believe in resurrection, angels, and spirits, even though all are addressed in the Old Testament.

In order to challenge or trick Jesus, the Sadducees smugly present him with a hypothetical situation. Jesus pointedly tells them they are in error because they do not know the Bible.

He then corrects their errant thinking, amazing the crowd and silencing his critics.

Few followers of Jesus would admit to ignoring parts of the Bible or dismissing sections as irrelevant, but it is actually a common occurrence.

When we read the Bible, it is naturally all too easy to focus on the parts we like and understand, while quickly skimming or even skipping the confusing and confounding passages.

As a result, our understanding of God is diminished in the process.

It is the error of the Sadducees.

[Acts 23:8, Mark 12:18-27, also in Luke 20:27-40 and Matthew 22:23-33]

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Tags angel, Jesus, Paul, Pharisee, Sadducee

Bible Insights

What Was the Error of Edom?

Post author By Peter DeHaan
Post date December 19, 2010

“As you have done, it will be done to you; your deeds will return upon your own head.”

Obadiah Said

The short book of Obadiah is a stinging rebuke to the nation of Edom, not for what they overtly did, but for what they did indirectly: for a failure to act, for smug attitudes, and for capitalizing on the wrong actions of others.

Even though they did not directly do wrong, the outcome is quite clear:

Paul Said

A few centuries later, Paul teaches the same lesson:

“Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows.”

Hosea Said

Hosea phrases this in the positive:

“Sow for yourselves righteousness, reap the fruit of unfailing love”

Jesus Said

However, Jesus said it best:

“Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven. Give, and it will be given to you…For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”

More succinctly, in what we call the Golden Rule, Jesus also said:

“Do to others what you would have them do to you.”

Yes, good words to live by.

[Obadiah 1:11-15, Galatians 6:7, Hosea 10:12, Luke 6:37-39, Matthew 7:12]

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Tags Hosea, Jesus, Obadiah, Paul

Bible Insights

The Art of Entertaining Angels

Post author By Peter DeHaan
Post date February 7, 2009

As followers of Jesus, we are encouraged to be generous and giving. Hospitality is part of that. Sometimes when we show kindness to others, we will never know the affect of our actions.

As an encouragement in being generous and giving, Paul writes, “Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some people have entertained angels without knowing it.”

This is an interesting thought. Of course, we would never know if it were to happen.

However, the Bible provides a story that confirms this idea of serving angels. Three men come to visit Abraham. He offers them food and respite.

Somehow he realizes that one of them is God (likely Jesus), but it is not until later that we learn the other two are angels.

No indication is given that Abraham ever comprehends the true identity of the other two visitors.

The two men (angels) leave, going on to Sodom to visit Abraham’s nephew, Lot. He, likewise, offers generous hospitality to them, even to the point of begging. There is no hint that Lot ever realizes the men are angels, either.

Even so, they save Lot twice, first from the men of the town and later from the destruction of Sodom.

Certainly we should be diligent in entertaining strangers—we’ll never know what might happen.

[Hebrews 13:2, Genesis 18-19]

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Tags Abraham, angel, Jesus, Paul